One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is the potential impact on your Medicare decisions down the road. If you're planning to claim Social Security at 64, you'll need to consider how this affects your Medicare enrollment timeline at 65. Also, since your husband earns above the maximum taxable limit, his Social Security benefit calculation is already maxed out for the current year in terms of the formula. Any additional earnings beyond $173,100 won't increase his Social Security benefit further for 2025, but they will continue to improve his highest 35 years of earnings if this year replaces a lower-earning year in his calculation. The key insight many people miss is that Social Security claiming is really about optimizing household income over your joint lifetimes, not just individual benefits. Given the significant income disparity you've described, the early claiming strategy likely makes sense, but definitely run the numbers on the tax impact first. You might find that even with higher taxes, the extra years of benefits still come out ahead mathematically.

The strategy you're considering makes a lot of sense mathematically, especially given the significant earnings difference between you and your husband. Since he's earning above the maximum taxable limit ($173,100 for 2025), his Social Security benefit is already being calculated at the highest possible level for this year. Here's what I'd focus on in your situation: 1. **Spousal benefit timing**: When your husband files at 70, you'd potentially receive the higher of your own benefit OR 50% of his full retirement age benefit amount (not his delayed retirement credit amount). Since his benefit will be substantial, this could mean a nice boost for you. 2. **Survivor benefit consideration**: By having your husband delay until 70, his benefit grows by 32% beyond his FRA due to delayed retirement credits. This also maximizes your potential survivor benefit if he passes away first - a crucial factor many couples overlook. 3. **Tax planning opportunity**: Since you mentioned his income is well above the taxable limit, you'll definitely want to model the tax impact. Your Social Security benefits will likely be 85% taxable given your combined income, but even with taxes, claiming early often still provides a net positive over the claiming period. The calculator is probably right, but definitely run a comprehensive analysis that includes taxes before deciding. Have you considered using a fee-only financial advisor who specializes in Social Security optimization?

I'm so sorry for your loss, Cedric. I went through this exact process about a year ago when my wife passed away. My widow's benefits took 6 weeks and 2 days from application to first payment. A few things that really helped me during that difficult waiting period: - I kept a simple journal noting each interaction with SSA, including dates and reference numbers - Called the local SSA office directly rather than the national line - they were much more knowledgeable about my specific case - Set up text alerts on my bank account so I'd know immediately when deposits arrived Since your husband passed in January and you just applied, you should definitely be eligible for retroactive benefits going back to that time. My first payment was significantly larger because it included those back payments, which really helped with the accumulated expenses. The uncertainty during those weeks was probably the hardest part of an already incredibly difficult time. But from what you've shared about submitting all your documentation upfront, you've done everything right to avoid processing delays. Most complete widow's benefit applications process within 4-6 weeks. You should receive an award letter a few days before your first payment arrives. Once the benefits start, they're very reliable and will arrive on the same Wednesday each month based on your birth date. Hang in there - based on the timeline, you should hopefully hear something within the next couple of weeks. This community has been such a source of support during these challenging times. You're not alone in this process.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Cedric. I went through this same process about 4 months ago when my husband passed away unexpectedly. My widow's benefits took exactly 5 weeks and 1 day from application to first payment. What helped me most during the waiting period was setting realistic expectations and having a plan for following up. Based on all the experiences shared here, it seems like 4-6 weeks is the typical range when you submit complete documentation upfront, which you did. A few additional tips that haven't been mentioned yet: - Keep copies of everything you submitted - if they need to verify anything, having your own copies makes it much faster - The SSA sometimes sends a "development letter" asking for additional information even when you've submitted everything. Don't panic if this happens - just respond promptly - Consider setting up a separate folder in your email for any SSA correspondence so nothing gets lost The retroactive benefits back to January should make your first payment quite substantial, which will hopefully provide some relief during this incredibly difficult time. Just remember that even though the process feels slow, widow's benefits are generally prioritized because SSA understands the urgent financial need. You're doing everything right by staying informed and proactive. The waiting is brutal when you're grieving and worried about finances, but you should hopefully hear something very soon. This community has been such a lifeline for so many of us going through similar situations. Sending you strength during this difficult time.

Yes, you should contact SSA when your wife approaches 62 to evaluate the spousal benefit option. While she can't receive both her own SSDI and spousal benefits simultaneously (she'll only get the higher of the two), the calculation can be complex and depends on your specific earnings histories. Regarding your earlier question about avoiding IRMAA increases: Yes, there's a process for this. When you receive the IRMAA determination (usually in November/December for the following year), you can file for a reconsideration using Form SSA-44, citing the backpay as a one-time income event. This form specifically allows for reporting "life-changing events" that make your current income lower than what appears on your tax return from two years prior. Finally, I highly recommend keeping detailed records of when the backpay is received and how it's spent, especially for any medical expenses which might be deductible.

Congratulations on your wife's approval! As someone new to this community, I wanted to add that you might also want to check if your state has any additional resources for people receiving SSDI backpay. Some states offer financial counseling services specifically for disability recipients who receive large lump sums. Also, if you're planning to use any of the backpay for home modifications or medical equipment, keep those receipts - they could be tax deductible medical expenses. The Medicare.gov website has a tool called the "Medicare Plan Finder" that can help you estimate how premium changes might affect your Part D costs too. Good luck navigating all of this - it sounds overwhelming but you're asking all the right questions!

I'm so sorry for your loss. I work as a benefits counselor and wanted to add a few important points that might help: 1. Since your mom is 82 and past full retirement age, she can receive 100% of your father's benefit if it was higher than hers - there's no reduction for age. 2. The timing is crucial. While you can get up to 6 months of retroactive benefits, the sooner you apply the better. Don't wait for SSA to contact you. 3. If you're having trouble getting through by phone, try calling right at 8 AM when they open - that's usually the best time to reach someone. 4. Make sure to ask about continuing any Medicare supplements or other benefits your father may have had that could transfer to your mother. 5. Keep detailed records of all your calls and interactions with SSA, including dates, times, and who you spoke with. The process can be frustrating, but your mother is likely entitled to the higher benefit amount. Stay persistent and don't give up if the first call doesn't go well.

I'm sorry for your loss, Ravi. I went through this exact situation with my grandmother two years ago. One thing I wanted to add that hasn't been mentioned - if your parents were married for at least 9 months before your father passed (which sounds like they were married much longer), your mother definitely qualifies for survivor benefits if his amount was higher. Also, when you do get through to SSA, ask them to do a benefit comparison right on the call. They can tell you immediately whether switching to survivor benefits would increase her monthly payment. In my grandmother's case, she went from $1,200 to $1,800 per month, which made a huge difference. One more tip - if the local SSA office has long wait times, sometimes satellite offices in smaller towns nearby have shorter waits. We drove 30 minutes to a smaller office and got an appointment within a week instead of waiting over a month at the main office. Good luck with everything, and don't hesitate to be persistent with SSA. This benefit is rightfully hers if your father's amount was higher.

One thing I learned the hard way is to keep really good records of your earnings throughout the year! I track my monthly wages and keep a running total so I know exactly where I stand relative to the $23,400 limit. SSA gets your wage info from employers eventually, but there can be delays, and if you accidentally go over the limit without realizing it, you could face an overpayment situation later. I use a simple spreadsheet to track my gross pay each month - makes it much easier when I need to report to SSA or if they have questions. Also remember that if you do go over the limit, they don't just look at the overage amount - the withholding calculation is based on your total excess earnings for the year, so even going over by a small amount can result in benefit reductions.

This is such valuable information - thank you everyone for sharing your experiences! I'm in a similar situation where I'm planning to start SS benefits soon but want to keep working part-time. One thing I'm still unclear on: if you do accidentally go over the earnings limit, how quickly does SSA notify you? And is there any grace period or way to avoid the withholding if you realize you're going over and immediately reduce your work hours? I'm worried about the unpredictability of my work schedule making it hard to stay exactly under the limit.